After a terrific preseason, the six-foot-six Kevin Bahl made his season debut on Thursday. The left-handed defenseman had a very strong game, evidence of what he was showing in preseason. All said, despite being an extremely small sample size, it is certainly encouraging. This after his discouraging season where he struggled in a short stint with the big club and did not look too impressive with Utica (AHL).

Entering training camp, after the surprise signing of veteran defenseman Brendan Smith and the trade for John Marino, the Devils’ defensive six was all but set. It would be a fierce competition for the seventh and final spot. Well, Bahl rightfully won that role, and is now pushing Brendan Smith for a final spot in the lineup. So much so, his play in preseason and first game Thursday, along with Smith’s lackluster play compared to his peers to begin the season, should earn him that role.

Bahl’s Performances

In preseason, Bahl’s 72.45 xGF% at five-on-five led Devils’ defensemen that played at least two games. While Bahl was on the ice at five-on-five, the Devils totaled 21 high-danger scoring chances and only allowed three. The six-foot-seven defenseman finally looked like everything he was made out to be.

Despite the strong preseason, It was not until game three of the regular season that Bahl saw action. In the contest, he served as the team’s seventh defenseman as New Jersey rolled with 11 forwards and seven defensemen. Bahl played 9:45 of five-on-five ice time. He posted a shot-attempt differential of 12 to six, an expected goals-for percentage of 79.35 (xGF%, fourth-best on the team), and was on the ice for five high-danger scoring chance while the opponent didn’t register a single one.

Overall, he looked good, his numbers were strong, and maybe we are finally seeing the defenseman the Devils hope they traded for. He has certainly deserved at least the chance to seize the everyday bottom-pairing role for the Devils going forward.

Smith’s Performances

In preseason, with Smith on the ice at five-on-five, the Devils surrendered 33 scoring chances, the highest of any Devil during the preseason. Interestingly enough, Smith’s offensive-zone start rate was higher than his defensive. He was one of the Devils’ poorer defensemen in preseason.

This theme has continued into the regular season throughout three games. Of the 21 Devils to play a game this season, he ranks 21st in Corsi-for percentage (CF%) and 19th in xGF%. He also ranks 19th in scoring-chance differential on the team. Among defenseman specifically, he ranks last in each of these categories. Furthermore, Smith has taken a few head-scratching penalties resulting in the Devils needing to go to the kill.

Now, Smith has not been bad at all. Namely, Smith has been on the ice for 13 New Jersey high-danger scoring chances and only three opponent chances. This 81.25 ratio ranks seventh-best on the team. His CF% and xGF% are also both still formidable numbers. Which is a testament to just how strong the Devils have been as a team to begin the season. Though, at the end of the day, the full body of work shows that he has been the worst of the team’s seven defenseman to suit up this season.

Final Thoughts

If the Devils wish to approach every game with the same lineup structure they did Thursday, then both Bahl and Smith can be in the lineup on a nightly basis. Though, it is rare to see teams run 11 forwards and seven defensemen every night. Regardless, Bahl has earned the right to at least get the shot to be in the lineup every night. If that means someone has to come out, Brendan Smith should be that guy. Especially given the fact that he has been the team’s worse defenseman. Again, he has not played bad, though, per se.

When he was brought in, Smith’s main strength was his penalty-killing acumen. He has always had so-so metrics at five-on-five. Penalty killing is something the more defensive Bahl can do, and he can do it well. Furthermore, this year specifically, most of the penalties the Devils have taken so far has been a result of Smith (of course, this is not going to continue). So, the main thing you lose with removing Smith from the lineup, Bahl can do and he can likely do other areas better.

At the end of the day, the Devils are in a situation that has been a rare occurrence. Several players that deserve to be playing or a chance to be playing on a nightly basis. Though, if someone has to come out on the back end to ensure Bahl gets a continued look, Smith should be that guy.

Statistics via Natural Stat Trick.